Three years ago, ŠKODA stopped selling the compact YETI crossover. This model was in good demand in Russia. The KAROQ crossover almost immediately replaced the YETI in Europe, but in Russia this model only went on sale in February of this year. We took a ride in a new crossover for us, which has already caused a stir in the showroom of the official dealer “AAA Motors Center”.
Exterior
At first glance at the KAROQ, random passers-by confuse it with the KODIAQ. Indeed, the resemblance to its older brother is obvious. The rectangular headlights and large radiator grille really remind us of the KODIAQ, but if you walk around the car from behind, everything will fall into place. If the front optics are very similar to the KODIAQ, then the design of the rear lights has its own unique design.
In general, the ŠKODA lineup on the Russian market has long lacked a compact crossover. At the same time, based on the experience with YETI, the bulk of sales were for the front-wheel drive version. Most likely, the front-wheel drive KAROQ will also be more popular than the all-wheel drive. The car looks original, as its name sounds. The word KAROQ is a derivative name from the Eskimo language. The model name is formed from two words of the northern people – kaa”roq (car) and ruq (arrow). Literally, before us is a car arrow.
KAROQ, like most of its VAG counterparts, is built on the modular MQB platform of the Volkswagen AG concern. That is, the KAROQ shares its platform with the same KODIAQ and Volkswagen Tiguan. And this means that Karoq has inherited all the best qualities from its older brothers. So far, at the initial stage, versions with front-wheel drive and a beam at the rear are available for sale. In the future, all-wheel drive versions of the KAROQ with independent multi-link suspension will also go on sale. Despite the fact that KAROQ is built on a common platform with the Volkswagen Tiguan, it is only slightly smaller than it. But the new product significantly exceeds its predecessor YETI in dimensions. In the last few years, ŠKODA has made a grand a breakthrough in the quality and equipment of its models. Of course, its models cannot yet be called premium, but in terms of the quality of materials and the quality of assembly, ŠKODA has not only surpassed many of its Asian competitors, but has also come close to the Germans.
Interior
The main trump card of ŠKODA cars has always been considered impeccable ergonomics and functionality. The ŠKODA interior cannot be called pretentious, it is clear and strict. Here, every element and every detail are subordinated to the logical thought of engineers. KODIAQ repeats many things here. The steering wheel and the climate control system control unit are absolutely identical to its older brother. As in the case of the larger ŠKODA crossover, finding the necessary keys is not difficult, everything is in its place, you do not need to look for anything.
The plastic in the interior is very decent quality, you feel no worse in the car than in the KODIAQ. The automatic transmission lever has an easy stroke, you can choose the desired position of the selector without straining. You can’t tell the KAROQ dashboard from the KODIAQ right away. The only difference is in slightly different air deflectors, and a smaller multimedia system screen. Otherwise, you are sitting in a miniature version of the KODIAQ. The multimedia here is, of course, simpler.
So far, KAROQ is available on the Russian market with a Swing radio and a small, by modern standards, 7-inch screen. There is no rear view camera on the first Russian KAROQ yet, instead of it – parking sensors. But in the future, trim levels with a modern Bolero multimedia system and a camera will be available for order. The KAROQ seats with good lateral support are upholstered in leather and Alcantara. In the back row, of course, there is a little space less than the KODIAQ, but the difference is not that big.
There is enough living space for three people. Passengers have a pair of deflectors, heated seats, a wide armrest with cup holders, as well as a 220V outlet, 12V and USB-C ports. The back will be comfortable not only for children, but also for adults. Speaking of children, there are Isofix mounts not only in the back, but also on the front passenger seat. ŠKODA has taken care of the family again.
The compact KAROQ crossover has a roomy trunk by the standards of its class. Its volume is 500 liters, and if you fold the rear seat, the useful volume of the luggage compartment increases to 1609 liters. Naturally, the trunk has many signature ŠKODA solutions in the Simply Clever style. hooks for bags, clamps for nets, side pockets with removable walls, 12-volt socket, removable flashlight, hatch for transporting long items.
Let’s go
So far in Russia, the new ŠKODA KAROQ is offered with only one engine – 1.4 TSI with a capacity of 150 horsepower. The drive is also the only one – front. All-wheel drive versions are promised very soon. Paired with the engine, an 8-speed gearbox from Aisin works. This is a classic automatic, and not a DSG robot, which our people are afraid of like fire. There will also be versions with DSG in the lineup, but there is no need to be afraid of this gearbox. VAG engineers have long taken into account all the complaints about it and corrected them.
As for the feeling of driving with the engine 1.4TSI and an eight-speed gearbox, then we can say that ŠKODA, although a family brand, the crossover has good dynamics. The engine torque is decent – 250 Newtons. Acceleration from zero to a hundred is 8.8 seconds. The box changes gears smoothly and without jerks, there is no loss of dynamics during acceleration. The car accelerates well. The compact crossover is very pleasant to drive. It demonstrates excellent directional stability and does not roll in turns, and the reactions to the steering wheel are precise and understandable. Add to all this also excellent adaptive cruise control and you can only get positive emotions from driving, especially on a long journey.
By summer, the official ŠKODA dealer “AAA Motors Center” will have all-wheel drive cars, as well as versions with a basic engine with a working volume of 1.6 liters and with a capacity of 110 horsepower. The cars will be available with a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, but the optimal combination for KAROQ can still be considered a turbo engine with a classic Aisin automatic.
How much does it cost
At the initial stage of sales, prices for the new ŠKODA KAROQ start at 1,499,000 rubles (Ambition package). The maximum of the currently available versions starts at 1,673,00 rubles (Style package). The monthly payment on the loan provided by Skoda is 9999 rubles. Already in the Ambition package, car owners have access to dual-zone Climatronic climate control, Swing infotainment system with 8 speakers, electronic stability control, cruise control with speed limitation, hill start assist, as well as interior trim with chrome parts and decorative inserts. In addition In addition, the equipment includes a 3-spoke leather steering wheel with radio and telephone control, central locking with remote control and rear parking sensors.
The Style package will add the SmartLink platform to the equipment, which allows you to connect a smartphone and use mobile applications, KESSY central locking, front parking sensors, and a 3-spoke leather steering wheel with heating. ŠKODA KAROQ is available to order in 8 body colors: white Pure, black Deep pearl, blue Reef metallic, green Emerald metallic, gray Platinum metallic, beige Cappuccino metallic, brown Topaz metallic and silver Brilliant metallic. Light-alloy wheels give a special dynamic to the image of the car – Castor 16, Triton 17 or Ratikon 17.
ŠKODA AAA MOTORS CENTER
Rostov-on-Don, Teatralny Avenue, 60B/341
tel.: +7 (863) 305-00-00
www.aaamotors-skoda.ru
